As awful as Ben Affleck was as the hitman/antihero in the misbegotten romantic comedy "Gigli," anything he did in its aftermath would be an improvement. So his serviceable work in "Jersey Girl," a sometimes-sappy strain of sentiment, family values, sitcom humor and romance from writer/director Kevin Smith, is a step up. Yes, Smith, who makes broad, pop-culture-aware travesties such as the movie-biz spoof "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and the edgy lampoon of Catholic doctrine "Dogma," has gone sentimental on us. What's more, he had the guts to cast Affleck's ex-paramour, partner-in-tabloid-fodder and "Gigli" costar Jennifer Lopez in "Jersey Girl," and she brings enormous presence to the film. Self-centered New York publicist Ollie (Affleck) falls in love with feisty, sexy Gertrude (Lopez). They have a daughter named Gertie, but Ollie's life takes a bad turn. He's forced to move back home with his cantankerous dad (George Carlin) in New Jersey and be a responsible parent to precocious Gertie (Raquel Castro). Maya, played by the appealing Liv Tyler, is an adorable girl in the neighborhood who shows interest in the emotionally damaged Ollie. You need to go with Smith's slightly sticky flow to embrace "Jersey Girl." Featuring Jason Biggs and cameos by Matt Damon and Jason Lee.